Fact is that 90% of the time if you look into the tank you are lucky to see one snake. They spend alot of time coiled in thier hides or up in the climbing branches. 6' of tank gives alot of stretching out room which your avaerage vision cage doesn't provide. Also in a tank that has miltiple hides two snakes will often chose to coil together time and again, with five and a half feet free to the side. The three and a half foot corn has now a six foot tank to roam rather than a two foot twenty gallon that I'd say the majority of pet owners keep them in by themselves. I'd say alot of the pros keep them in tubs that are inches high and about big enough to just about streach out diagonally in.
Given a choice, would you rather be in that 12x6 room with two other people or in a 4x2 room by yourself?
Incidentally, two dragons in the 55 gal that they are in now gives them 4-5 times thier body length of running room.(heathy, active and into thier 7th year)
One other observation I've made over the years, most snakes housed by themselves appear less active than those that are housed with others. This activity promotes in my opinion better heath. My snakes are healthy feeders and while not being "power fed" are large for thier age. Small meals 10-14 days apart. I don't push it. One example I have is a black rat that is 5 years and tops 7'.
Also, in that they chose to coil together when separate hides exist feet aprt I'd say that these animals arn't stressed at all, rather a certain element of what zoos refer to as "enrichment" exists here.
Nobody is crammed here. Ok theres my vent.
Mike.

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